HARRISBURG, Pa. — An upcoming bill in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives could make marijuana legal for adult use in the state.
"I think it's well past time for us to legalize cannabis," said State Representative Emily Kinkead, a Democrat representing Allegheny County.
Kinkead is a prime sponsor of soon to be introduced bill she said would help the commonwealth capitalize on cannabis as neighboring states ramp up legal sales.
"The governor has estimated that it would bring about $500 million within five years," she said. "I think that's actually a pretty conservative estimate."
Kinkead said the bill would help squash the illegal market, create small businesses and forgive some marijuana-related convictions.
Like any drug, marijuana use does not come without risk.
The National Institute of Health notes it can result in breathing problems, increased heart rate and can impact child development during and after pregnancy.
NIH reports consumption in higher doses can lead to hallucinations, delusions and even psychosis.
Still, shifting public perception makes the drug more appealing to states strapped for cash.
Twenty-four states and the Nation's Capital allow legal recreational marijuana use and another seventeen states allow medical use, including Pennsylvania.
"Science has demonstrated to us that marijuana is actually not nearly as addictive as other drugs that are legal right now," Kinkead said. "The simple fact of the matter is that we've seen other states legalize this and the world has not ended."
It's unclear how the bill will be received by Republicans in Harrisburg.
State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman was asked about legalization shortly after Governor Shapiro proposed legalization in his February budget address.
"We have a wide range of opinions on adult-use marijuana," said Pittman, a Republican representing Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson and Westmoreland counties. "Frankly, my personal opinion is that this is something the federal government needs to address in a uniform manner."
Kinkead plans to introduce the bill in the Democrat-controlled State House later this month.